Engine



Aug. 30, 1966 w. J. SHIMANCKAS ENGINE Filed Feb. 23, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 A 7 TOE/VE V5 Aug- 30 1966 1 w. J. SHIMANcKAs 3,269,351

ENGINE Filed Feb. 23, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

MMLM

A Trag/V556 United States Patent O 3,269,351 ENGINE William J. Shimanckas, Waukegan, Ill., assignor to Outboard Marine Corporation, Waukegan, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 23, 1965, Ser. No. 434,489 20 Claims. (Cl. 11S-18) The invention relates to outboard motors. More particularly, the invention relates to outboard motors including propulsion units which are principally located rearwardly of a boat transom and which are dirigible or horizontally swingable to afford steering and which are vertically swingable to afford passage over underwater obstacles.

An outboard motor in `accordance with the invention includes means for supporting a propulsion unit from a boat transom comprising a bracket assembly adapted to be attached to the boat transom, a yoke or dirigible bracket, pivot means connecting the bracket assembly and the yoke for horizontal swinging movement therebetween when the bracket assembly is attached to the boat transom, and pivot means connecting the propulsion unit and the yoke for vertical swinging movement therebetween when the bracket assembly is attached to the boat transom. In such an arrangement, the steering axis is stationary and the propulsion unit is tiltable relative thereto. Also in accordance with the invention, means are provided for adjusting the angle between a transom bracket or tting and the vertical steering axis in order to accommodate it to boat hulls having transoms extending `at different angles. Pereferably, the steering axis passes through the gear box in the lower unit when the propulsion unit is in its normal operating position.

In the preferred construction, the horizontal pivot between the propulsion unit and the dirigible yoke or bracket is located above the center of gravity of the propulsion unit. This arrangement results in the weight of the motor acting in opposition t-o vertical swinging of the outboard motor occurring in response to the hitting of an underwater obstacle. Preferably, the horizontal pivot is also located with respect to the center of gravity so as to be located at least as far forwardly as the center of gravity. Also in the preferred construction, the vertical pivot is located aft of the Iboat transom to which the outboard motor is attached, and the horizontal pivot is connected to the power head, above the top of the vertical pivot, and aft of the front of the power head at a horizontal distance which is less than the vertical distance between the top of the vertical Ipivot and the horizontal pivot.

In the preferred construction, the horizontal pivot is provided on a pair of horizontally spaced legs on the dirigible yoke and is located at a vertical distance above the top of the vertical pivot which is greater than the horizontal distance from the front of the power head to the horizontal pivot. This arrangement permits swinging of the power head about the horizontal axis and between the legs While `avoiding power head movement through a path extending substantially forwardly of the transom, as has been a common condition in the past. Accordingly, space within the boat hull is available for other purposes and a large dry well in the boat is not needed. As the outboard motor is principally located aft of the transom, and the vertical swinging movement of the outboard motor does not involve substantial displacement forwardly of the boat transom, the outboard motor will not fall into the boat if the outboard motor breaks away from the transom after hitting an underwater obstacle.

In addition, the steering connection to the outboard motor has little or no vertical swinging movement, thereby simplifying boat construction and control connection.

3,269,351 Patented August 30, 1966 lCC Still further, the relatively elevated location of the horizontal pivot affords greater movement of the gear case out of the water than in the past and upward tilting of the lower unit is not limited by transom thickness or dry well depth.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become known by reference to the following description and the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE l is an elevational view, partially in section, of an outboard motor which embodies various of the features of the invention and which is shown mounted on `a boat transom in a generally upright operating posltlon;

FIGURE 2 i-s a view similar to FIGURE 1, showing the outboard motor in an elevated position;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the outboard motor shown in FIGURE l;

FIGURE 4 is a view, partially broken away and in section, taken generally along line 4-4 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a rear elevational view of various of the components supporting the outboard motor from the boat transom; and

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a yoke or member incorporated in `the -outboard motor shown in FIGURES l through 3.

Shown in the drawings is an outboard motor 11 including a propulsion unit 13 and means 15 for supporting the propulsion unit 13 from a boat transom 16 for swinging movement about two transverse axes which are respectively generally horizontal and vertical.

Except for its connection to the supporting means 15, the propulsion unit 13 is generally of conventional construction and includes a |power head 17 connected to a lower unit 19. Supported within the power head is a prime mover (not shown) which is commonly in the form of an internal combustion engine. The lower unit supports a gear case 20, a propeller 21 or other thrust producing element, and a drive train which connects the propeller 21 to the engine and which commonly includes, in the lower unit 19, a driveshaft 22 (see FIGURE 4), and clutch means (not shown) affording neutral, forward drive, and rearward drive operation.

The means 15 for supporting the propulsion unit comprises generally a transom bracket assembly 23 adapted for connection to the boat transom 16, a dirigi'ble yoke, member, or bracket 25, pivot means connecting the yoke 25 and the transom bracket assembly 23 for swinging movement about a generally vertical axis, and pivot means connecting the propulsion unit 13 to the yoke 23 for swinging movement of the propulsion unit 13 about a generally horizontal axis.

The transom bracket assembly 23 can be adapted to be connected to the boat transom 16 in various ways and includes a member or support 27 mounting one or more vertical bearings 29, together with means affording adjustment of the member 27 to locate the propulsion unit 13 at its optimum position for boat propulsion, notwithstanding variation in transom angles of different boats.

More specifically, the transom bracket assembly 23 includes a pair of fittings 31 and 33 which can be constrncted in general accordance with the fittings identified by numerals 8 and 9 in the United States Conover Patent 3,061,250, issued October 30, 1962. Telescopically receivable in the fittings 31 and 33 is a member or bracket 35 which can be constructed in general accordance with the construction of the transom bracket 20 identified in the Conover Patent 3,061,250. As shown in said Conover patent, the bracket 35 comprises a pair of laterally spaced portions 37 each including, in the upper part thereof, an upper transverse bore 39 and, adjacent the lower part thereof, an arcuate series of apertures 41 located at common radii from the transverse bore 39.

The member or support 27 can be constructed in various ways to provide the aforementioned vertical bearings and to afford angular adjustment of the upright bearing axis with respect to the boat transom 16 to which the bracket assembly 23 is attached. Specifically, in the disclosed construction, the member 27 comprises a sleeve 43 having therein the vertical bearing 29. Adjacent its upper end, the sleeve 43 is integrally connected with an upper transverse part 47 having therein a bore 49 receiving a shaft or pintle 51 which also passes through the upper bores 39 in the bracket portions 37. This connection of the member 27 to the bracket 35 by the pintle 51 affords angular movement of the member 27 relative to the bracket 35 in a Vertical plane.

Adjacent its lower end, the sleeve 43 is integrally connected to a second or lower transverse part 53 which also includes a bore 55 therein. The bore 55 is spaced from the bore 49 at a distance which corresponds to the spacing between the apertures 41 and the bore 39 in the bracket portions 37. Accordingly, the bore 55 is alignable with the apertures 41. Except for initial angular adjustment of the member 27 relative to the bracket 35, vertical swinging of the member 27 relative to the bracket 35 is releasably prevented by a removable locking bolt 57 which passes through an aligned pair of apertures 41 and through the bore 55. Suitable means can be provided to prevent accidental displacement of the locking bolt 57 from its position releasably preventing relative angular movement between the bracket 35 and the member 27. I As described herein, the previously mentioned means for vertically adjusting the angular relationship of the member 27 to the bracket 35 comprises the pintle 51 and its associated bores 39 and 49, and the locking pin 57 and its associated bore 55 and apertures 41.

The yoke 25 which is shown best in FIGURE 6, can be constructed in various ways and includes one or more vertical bearings and a pair of horizontal bearings. In the specifically disclosed construction, the yoke 25 comprises a U-shaped upper portion 61 including a generally horizontal web 63 and a pair of vertically extending legs 65. At their upper ends, the legs 65 each respectively include the horizontal bearings 67.

Extending downwardly from the web 63 is a stem portion 69 which, in horizontal cross section, is of generally U-shaped formation. Extending forwardly from the bottom of the base of the U-shaped formation is an arm 71. Located respectively adjacent the forward end of the arm '71 and in the web 63 are :aligned vertical bearings 73 and 75. Carried at the forwardmost part of the web 63 in spaced relation to the bearings is a fitting 77 adapted to be connected to a steering control.

The pivot means for connecting the yoke 25 and the transom bracket assembly 23 for swinging movement of the yoke 25 relative to the bracket assembly 23 about a generally vertical axis comprises, in addition to the before described bearings 29, 73, and 75, a kingpin 79 (see FIG- URE 4) extending through said bearings. The pivot means connecting the yoke 25 and the propulsion unit 13 comprises, in addition to the horizontal bearings 67, a pair of pivot pins 81 which respectively project through the horizontal bearings 67 :and extend from respective supports 83 on the power head 17.

Preferably, the supports 83 are located on the power head 17 above the center of gravity of the propulsion unit 13 and either in a vertical plane containing the center of gravity or forwardly of the center of gravity. In the specifically disclosed construction, the center of gravity is identified by the numeral 85 in FIGURE l. This arrangement has the advantage of employing the weight of the engine in opposition to vertical swinging of the propulsion unit 13 in response to the striking of an underwater obstacle. The center of the supports 83 is also preferably located substantially rearwardly of the forward end of the power head 17, but at a distance from the forward end of the power head which is less thanthe distance between the web 63 and the horizontal axis defined by the bearings 67. Locating the supports 83 thusly permits the forward end of the power head 17 to swing downwardly and between the legs 65 of the yoke 25 and not through a path extending substantially forwardly of the boat transom 14, as has commonly been the practice in the past. As can be seen, the horizontal axis defined by the bearings 67 -is spaced from the top of the kingpin 79 at a vertical distance which is greater than the horizontal distance therebetween.

Included in the outboard motor 11 are means releasably preventing vertical swinging of the propulsion unit 13 so as to thereby afford normal reverse propulsion. Such means connects the yoke 25 and the lower 'unit 19 and can be arranged in a manner similar to that disclosed in the United States Patent Re. 25,048, issued October 3, 1961. More specifically, such means is shown fragmentarily in the drawings as including a forwardly and downwardly projecting portion 87 which extends from the yoke arm 71 and includes a transverse shaft 89 corresponding to the bar 30 disclosed in said Hulsebus patent. Extending from the propulsion lower unit 19 are a pair of hooks 91 which correspond to the hooks 50 disclosed in said Hulsebus patent.

Also included in the outboard motor 11 are shock absorbing means connected between the yoke 25 and the propulsion unit 13 for cushioning vertical swinging movement of the propulsion unit 13 in response to the striking of an underwater obstacle. In the specifically disclosed construction, such means is in the form of one or more hydraulic shock absorbers 93 which are pivotally connected, at one end, to the inside of the yoke legs 65, at a point adjacent to the web 63. At their other ends, the shock absorbers 93 are pivotally connected to the power head 17 at points below the pivot pins 181 and so that the shock absorbers 93 will not contract during any part of the upward swinging movement of the lower unit 19 in response to the striking of an underwater obstacle. In the specifically disclosed construction, the connection of the shock absorbers 93 to the power head 17 is located vertically below the horizontal pivots 81.

Various of the features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An outboard motor comprising a propulsion unit including a power head and a lower unit including a thrust producing element, a bracket assembly adapted to be attached to the boat transom, a yoke, pivot means connecting Said bracket assembly and said Iyoke for vhorizontal swinging movement therebetween and extending generally vertically aft of the boat transom when said bracket assembly is attached to the boat transom, and pivot means uniting asid power head and said yoke for vertical swinging movement of said propulsion unit relative to said yoke and to a normal operating, generally upright position of said propulsion unit when said bracket assembly is attached to the boat transom.

2. An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket assembly adapted to be attached to the transom of a boat, a propulsion unit supporting bracket, first pivot means i connecting said transom transom bracket assembly and said propulsion unit supporting bracket for pivotal movement therebetween about a first axis which extends generally vertically aft of the boat transom when said bracket assembly is attached to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a power head and a lower unit including a thrust producing element, and a second pivot means uniting said power head and said propulsion unit supporting bracket for pivotal movement therebetween relative to a normally upright operating position of said propulsion unit about an axis which is transverse to said first axis and which is located in spaced relation above the upper end of said first pivot means.

3. An outboard motor comprising a propulsion unit, and means for supporting said propulsion unit from a boat transom for horizontal and vertical swinging movement, said propulsion unit supporting means comprising a bracket assembly adapted to be attached to the boat transom, a yoke, pivot means connecting said bracket assembly and said yoke for horizontal swinging movement therebetween and extending generally vertically when said bracket assembly tis attached to the boat transom, and pivot means connecting said propulsion unit and said yoke for vertical swinging movement of said propulsion unit relative to said supporting bracket assembly and relative to a generally upright, normal operating position of said propulsion unit, said second pivot means extending generally horizontally when said bracket assembly is attached to the boat transom, said horizontally extending pivot means being located, with respect to the top of said vertically extending pivot means, at a greater vertical distance therebetween than the horizontal distance therebetween.

4. An outboard motor comprising a propulsion unit including a power head and a lower unit, and means for supporting said propulsion unit from a boat transom for horizontal and vertical swinging movement, said propulsion unit supporting means comprising a bracket assembly adapted to be attached to the boat transom, a yoke, pivot means connecting said bracket assembly and said yoke for horizontal swinging movement therebetween and extending generally vertically when said bracket assembly is attached to the boat transom, and pivot means connecting said propulsion unit and said yoke for vertically swinging movement therebetween and extending generally horizontally when said bracket assembly is attached to the boat transom, said horizontally extending pivot means being located horizontally rearwardly from the front of said power head at a distance less than the vertical distance between the top of said vertically extending pivot means and said horizontally extending pivot means.

S. An outboard motor comprising a propulsion unit including a power head and a lower unit, and means for supporting said propulsion unit from a boat transom for horizontal and vertical swinging movement, said propulsion unit supporting means comprising a bracket assembly adapted to be attached to the boat transom, a yoke, pivot means connecting said bracket assembly and said yoke for horizontal swinging movement therebetween and extending generally vertically when said bracket assembly is attached to the boat transom, and pivot means connecting said power head and said yoke for vertical swinging movement therebetween and extending generally horizontally when said bracket assembly is attached to the boat transom, said horizontally extending pivot means being located horizontally rearwardly from the front of said power head at a distance less than the vertical distance between the top of said vertically extending pivot means and said horizontally extending pivot means.

6. An outboard motor comprising a propulsion unit, and means for supporting said propulsion unit from a boat transom for horizontal and vertical swinging movement, said propulsion unit supporting means comprising a bracket assembly adapted to be attached to the boat transom, a yoke, pivot means connecting said bracket assembly and said yoke for horizontal swinging movement therebetween and extending generally vertically and aft of the boat transom when said bracket assembly is attached to the boat transom, and pivot means uniting said propulsion unit and said yoke for vertical swinging movement of said propulsion unit relative to said supporting bracket and relative to a generally upright, normal operating position of said propulsion unit, said second pivot means extending generally horizontally when said bracket assembly is attached to the boat transom, said horizontally extending pivot means being located above the center of gravity of said propulsion unit.

7. An out-board motor comprising a propulsion unit, a bracket assembly adapted to be attached to a boat transom, a yoke, pivot means connecting said bracket assembly and said yoke for horizontal swinging movem-ent therebetween and extending generally vertically aft of the boat transom when said bracket assembly is attached to the boat transom, and pivot means uniting said propulsion un-it and said yoke `for vertical swinging movement of said propulsion unit relative .to said yoke and relative to a generally upright, normal operating position of said propulsion unit when said bracket assembly is attached to the boat transom, said horizontally extending pivot means being located above and at least as far forwardly as the center ot gravity of said propulsion unit.

y8. An outboard motor comprising a propulsion un-it including a power head and a lower unit, including a thrust producing element, a bracket assembly adapted to be attached to a boat transom, a yoke, pivot means connecting said bracket assembly .and said yoke for horizontal swinging movement 4therebetween and extending generally vertically when said bracket assembly is attached to the boat transom, and pivot means uniting -s-aid power head and said yoke for vertical swinging movement of said propulsion unit relative to said yoke and relative to a generally upright, normal operating position of said propulsion `uni-t when said bracket assembly is attached to the boat transom, and shock absorbing means connected between said propulsion unit and said yoke.

9. An outboard motor comprising a propulsion unit including a power head and a lower unit including a thrust producing element, a bracket assembly adapted to be attached to a boat transom, a yoke, pivot means connecting said bracket assembly and said yoke for horizontal swinging movement therebetween and extendving generally vertically aft of the boat transom when said bracket assembly is attached to the boat transom, and pivot means uniting said propulsion unit and said yoke for vertical swinging movement of said propulsion unit re'llative to said yoke and relative to a generally upright, normal operating position of said propulsion unit when said bracket assembly is attached to the boat transom, and shock absorbing means connected between said yoke and said power head.

10. An outboard motor comprising a bracket assembly including a iirst member adapted to be attached to the transom of a boat, a second member having a bearing, means connecting said iirst and second members for locating said bearing generally upright when said iirst member is attached to the transom of a boat and for affording angular adjustment :between said members about an axis transverse to said bearing, and releasable locking means for preventing angular movement between said members about said axis, a yoke including a bearing and a pair of spaced legs extending from said bearing generally in the direction of the axis of said bearing, a king pin connecting said bearings to afford swinging movement of said yoke relative to said bracket assembly, `a propulsion unit, pivot means connecting said propulsion unit to said legs for pivotal movement o-f said propulsion unit between said legs, relative to said yoke, and relative to a generally upright, normal operating position of said propulsion un-it when said bracket assembly lis attached to the transom of a boat, said pivot means extending along an axis transverse to and above the upper end ot said king pin, and hydraulic shock absorbing means extending between one of said legs and said propulsion unit.

11. An outboard 4motor comprising a propulsion unit, and means for supporting said propulsion unit from a boat transom for horizontal and vertical swinging movement, said propulsion unit supporting means comprising a bracket assembly including a fitting adapted to be attached to the boat transom, a support mounting a bearing, and means on said fitting and on said support affording angular vertical adjustment therebetween when said iitting is attached to the bolat transom, a yoke having a bearing, pivot means in said bearings connecting said bracket assembly and said yoke for horizontal swinging movement therebetween and extending generally vertically when said fitting is attached to the boat transom, and piv-ot means connecting said propulsion unit and said yoke for vertical swinging movement therebetween when said tting is attached to the boat transom.

12. An outboard motor comprising a bracket assembly including a first member ladapted to be attached t-o the transom of a boat, a second member having a bearing, means connecting said Iirst and second members for locating said bearing generally upright when said first member is attached to the transom of a boat, and for atording angular adjustment between said members about an axis transverse to said bearing, and releasable locking means tor preventing angular movement between said members about said axis, a yoke including a bearing and a pair of spaced legs extending from said bearing generally in the direction of the axis of said bearing, a king pin connecting said bearings to afford swinging movement of said yoke relative to said bracket assembly, a propulsion unit, and pivot means connecting said propulsion unit to said legs for pivotal movement of said propulsion unit between said legs, relative to said yoke, and relative to a generally upright, normal operating position of said propulsion unit when said bracket assembly is attached to the transom of a boat, said pivot means extending along an axis located transversely to and above the upper end of said king pin.

13. An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket assembly adapted to be att-ached to the transom of a boat, a propulsion unit supporting bracket, means connecting said transom bracket assembly and said propulsion unit supporting 'bracket for pivotal movement therebetween about a first .axis which extends generally vertically when said bracket assembly is attached to Ithe boat transom, a propulsion unit including a power head and a lower unit including a thrust producing element, means connecting said power head and said propulsion unit supporting bracket for pivotal movement of said propulsion unit relative to said supporting bracket and relative to a generally upright, normal operating position of said propulsion unit, said last mentioned means extending about an axis which is transverse to said rst axis and which is located in spaced relation above the upper end of s-aid means connecting said transom bracket assembly and said propulsion unit supporting bracket, and .means releasably connecting said lower unit and said propulsion unit supporting bracket to releasably prevent swinging movement of said propulsion unit relative to said propulsion unit supporting bracket. 14. An outboard motor comprising a propulsion unit including a power head 'and a lower unit including a thrust producing element, a bracket assembly adapted to be attached to a boat transom, a yoke, rst pivot means connecting said bracket assembly and said yoke tor horizontal swinging movement of said yoke relative to said bracket, said pivot means extending generally vertically and aft of the boat transom when said bracket assembly is attached to the boat transom, and second pivot means uniting said propulsion unit and said yoke for vertical swinging movement of said propulsion unit relative to said yoke with respect to a normal operating position which is generally upright when said bracket assembly is attached to t-he boat transom, said second pivot means being located in spaced vertical relation above the top of said first pivot means and horizontaliy rearwardly `from the front of said power head at a distance lessthan the verticaldistance lbetween the top of said first pivot means and said second pivot means.

15. An outboard motor in accordance with claim 14 wherein said yoke includes a bearing constituting a part of said rst pivot means and a pair of spaced legs extending from said bearing generally in the direct-ion of the axis of said bearing, and said second pivot means connects said propulsion unit to said legs.

16. An outboard motor comprising a propulsion unit including a power head and a lower unit, a bracket assembly adapted to be attached to a boat transom, a yoke, rst pivot means connecting said bracket assembly and said yoke for horizontal swinging movement of said yoke relative to said bracket, said pivot means extending generally vertically and att of the boat transom when said bracket assembly is attached to the bio-at transom, and second pivot means uniting said power head an-d said yoke ttor vertical swinging movement of said propulsion unit relative to said yoke with respect to a normal operating position which is .generally upright when said bracket lassembly is attached to the boat transom.

17. An outboard motor in accordance with claim 16 wherein said yoke includes a bearing constituting a part ot said rst pivot means, and a pair of spaced legs extending from said bearing generally in the direction of the axis of said bearing, and wherein said second pivot means connects said power head to said legs.

18. An outboard motor in accordance with claim 16 wherein said second pivot means is located in spaced vertical relation above the top of said rst pivot means and horizontally rearwardly from the front of said power head at a distance less than the vertical distance between the top of said lirst pivot means and said second pivot means.

19. An outboard motor in accordance with claim 16 wherein said second pivot means is located in spaced Vertical relation above the upper end o-f said irst pivot means and in spaced horizontal relation to said first pivot means, said vertical spacing being greater than said horizontal spacing.

20. The combination in an out-board motor of a mounting bracket, a swivel bracket, a propulsion unit carried by said swivel bracket and including a power head and a lower unit having a thrust producing element, means connecting said swivel bracket to said mounting bracket including a pivot affording pivotal movement of said swivel bracket relative to said mounting bracket about a horizonal axis to adjust .the angular relation between said swivel bracket and said mounting bracket, and removable lmeans ttor positively preventing relative pivotal movement between said swivel bracket and said mounting bracket.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,823,109 9/1931 Lourier 115-18 1,953,599 4/1934 Grimes 115-18 2,659,558 ll/l953 Gillespie -18 X 3,136,287 6/1964 North 11S-4l MILTON BUCHLER, Primary Examiner. ANDREW H. FARRELL, Examiner. 

1. AN OUTBOARD MOTOR COMPRISING A PROPULSION UNIT INCLUDING A POWER HEAD AND A LOWER UNIT INCLUDING A THRUST PRODUCING ELEMENT, A BRACKET ASSEMBLY ADAPTED TO BE ATTACHED TO THE BOAT TRANSOM, A YOKE, PIVOT MEANS CONNECTING SAID BRACKET ASSEMBLY AND SAID YOKE FOR HORIZONTAL SWINGING MOVEMENT THEREBETWEEN AND EXTENDING GENERALLY VERTICALLY AFT OF THE BOAT TRANSOM WHEN SAID BRACKET ASSEMBLY IS ATTACHED TO THE BOAT TRANSOM, AND PIVOT MEANS UNITING SAID POWER HEAD AND SAID YOKE FOR VERTICAL SWINGING MOVEMENT OF SAID PROPULSION UNIT RELATIVE TO SAID YOKE AND TO A NORMAL OPERATING, GENERALLY UPRIGHT POSITION OF SAID PRROPULSION UNIT WHEN SAID BRACKET ASSEMBLY IS ATTACHED TO THE BOAT TRANSOM. 